...My Classroom's in Another Country!: Am I Still A Tourist???

Ok Ok....here we go. Sooo...the trip to Japan was great, even though it was something of a whirlwind. Osaka was the base of operations since it is Mai's hometown. From Osaka we first went to Himeji. Himeji has, argueably, the most splendid castle in all of Japan...it's all original...not remade like Osaka-jo. It was great. From there we ended up in Tokyo for a few days. It was a harrowing and somewhat stressful trip, but we came out the other end relatively unscathed! I have no idea how people can successfully navigate that city on a daily basis. Al I can say is one thing...SHINJUKU STATION is EVIL!!!!!! From there we went back to Osaka and the Kyoto. Kyoto is AMAZING!!!! I loved it there. it is such a gorgeous city that needs at least a dedicated week of your time to do it justice (I was a wimpy cry-baby for this leg of the journey...tired and with sore feet).

Oh yeah...we also went to Nara which was soooo great. The fact that they have 1200, mildly aggressive deer as national treasures is a treat. Don't eat anything in public cause you're liable to be mauled by a pack of roving fawns!!!

Ok...I left Asia after my wonderful trip with Mai. Last weekend I landed in Vancouver and met up with Greg and Arin. They work at CDI's emmersion school in Vancouver called CSI. EEEEK....I got there just in time for their class pageant (Wizard of Oz) and graduation ceremony. One of my old students from Busan was even there. We both almost had heart-attacks when we saw each other. A few days in Vancouver and then I was off to Ontario.

Jeez...I feel like a tourist in my own country. I've been away for so long that I still have yet to feel like this is home. I suppose it isn't. I may be a citizen of Canada, but Korea has been home for years and still feels that way. Soon I'll be back in the game though. Timmy Ho's has been tasting pretty good and sooooo cheap compared to the coffee I'm used too! The Sens may be out this year, but I'll be in Ottawa this Fall to cheer'em on...oh yeah....and Canadian beer does taste GREAT!